What at first appeared to be adversity for the New Richmond baseball team has turned out to be prosperity.

Matt Ollendick, previously a catcher who had never pitched, is 7-0 with a 0.61 ERA. (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        Before the season, coach Brian Benzinger learned that the Lions' best returning pitcher and hitter both had decided not to play.

        “It left some major gaps and holes to fill,” Benzinger said, “but several kids have stepped up and made us a better team.”

        That's hard to deny. The Lions took a 19-0 record into the final game of the regular season and already clinched the Southern Buckeye Conference championship.

        “I never dreamed of this,” Benzinger said. “Offensively, I thought we would be all right and could contend for the league championship. It was the pitching that I was worried about.”

        Two of the players who filled the voids created by the departures are freshman outfielder Chris Kilgore and senior pitcher Matt Ollendick.

        Kilgore has come through better than expected with the bat, hitting .492 while playing excellent defense in right field.

        But Ollendick, last year's starting catcher, has made the biggest difference. The 6-foot-4 senior had never pitched at any level of baseball until last summer for his Knothole team.

        “Coach Benzinger and I talked a little here and there about pitching,” Ollendick said, “but I was afraid to get out there in game situations.”

        Not anymore. Ollendick, used primarily as a closer, is 7-0 with three saves and a 0.61 ERA.

        “Matt's fastball has been timed at over 90 mph, ” Benzinger said. “He also has a nice curve and good control.”

        While Ollendick and Kilgore have been pleasant surprises, Tyler Henderson, Mike Holcomb and Brandon Young have been steady, combining for an 8-0 record.

        The New Richmond offense averages nearly 11 runs a game with Kilgore, Mike Holcomb (26 RBI), Rodney Slone (23 RBI) and Bret Wiseman forming what Ollendick calls the “Bomb Squad.”

        Matt Jones, Tyler Henderson, Bryan Bellamy and Brian Erdman also have contributed offensively and defensively for a New Richmond team that hasn't beaten itself with errors in the field.

        “Someone told me to go ahead and lose a game before the tournament because the kids may start thinking they're unbeatable,” Benzinger said. “I'm not sure I agree because the kids are loving it. If we do get beat, my only concern will be getting them back up the next day.”

        The New Richmond record books only go back to 1967. As a result, Benzinger only knows that the winning streak is the longest in 34 years. It's the only undefeated record.

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